The Impact of Diet on Mood and Cognition
Expert-defined terms from the Global Certificate in Nutritional Psychiatry course at London School of International Business. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Affective Disorder refers to a category of mental health conditions characterize… #
Affective Disorder refers to a category of mental health conditions characterized by abnormal emotional experiences, including mood swings and emotional dysregulation, often impacting an individual's ability to function in daily life, with dietary factors playing a significant role in the development and management of affective disorders, such as the impact of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on depressive symptoms.
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in various cognitive functio… #
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in various cognitive functions, including memory formation, attention, and learning, with dietary components such as choline and vitamin B8 influencing acetylcholine synthesis and function, highlighting the significance of nutritional factors in maintaining healthy cognitive function.
Adrenaline is a hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the body'… #
Adrenaline is a hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the body's stress response, with dietary factors such as caffeine and sugar consumption influencing adrenaline release and function, which can have implications for mood and cognitive function, particularly in individuals with anxiety disorders.
Amino Acid refers to a class of organic compounds that serve as the bu… #
Amino Acid refers to a class of organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins, with certain amino acids, such as tryptophan and tyrosine, playing a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and cognitive function, such as serotonin and dopamine.
Antioxidant refers to a class of compounds that neutralize free ra… #
Antioxidant refers to a class of compounds that neutralize free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress, which can damage cellular components and contribute to the development of various neurodegenerative disorders, with dietary antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables, playing a crucial role in maintaining neuroprotection.
Anxiety Disorder refers to a category of mental health conditions characterized… #
Anxiety Disorder refers to a category of mental health conditions characterized by excessive and persistent fear or worry, often impacting an individual's ability to function in daily life, with dietary factors such as caffeine and sugar consumption, as well as the gut-brain axis, playing a significant role in the development and management of anxiety disorders.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental d… #
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and the elimination of artificial food additives, influencing the development and management of ADHD symptoms.
BDNF (Brain #
Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is a protein involved in the growth and survival of neurons, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and exercise influencing BDNF expression and function, which can have implications for cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Blood #
Brain Barrier refers to a selective permeable barrier that separates the brain from the bloodstream, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and antioxidants influencing the integrity and function of the blood-brain barrier, which can have implications for neuroprotection and cognitive function.
Cognitive Function refers to a range of mental processes involved in p… #
Cognitive Function refers to a range of mental processes involved in perception, attention, memory, and learning, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, antioxidants, and vitamin D influencing cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Cortisol is a hormone involved in the body's stress response, with… #
Cortisol is a hormone involved in the body's stress response, with dietary factors such as caffeine and sugar consumption influencing cortisol release and function, which can have implications for mood and cognitive function, particularly in individuals with anxiety disorders.
Depression refers to a category of mental health conditions characterized by per… #
Depression refers to a category of mental health conditions characterized by persistent and intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness, often impacting an individual's ability to function in daily life, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, folate, and vitamin D influencing the development and management of depressive symptoms.
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is an omega #
3 fatty acid involved in brain function and development, with dietary DHA supplementation influencing cognitive function, neuroprotection, and the development and management of various neurodegenerative disorders.
Dietary Pattern refers to the overall composition of an individual's diet… #
Dietary Pattern refers to the overall composition of an individual's diet, including the types and amounts of foods and nutrients consumed, with certain dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and the Okavangan diet, being associated with improved cognitive function and neuroprotection.
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) is an omega #
3 fatty acid involved in inflammation regulation and brain function, with dietary EPA supplementation influencing cognitive function, neuroprotection, and the development and management of various neurodegenerative disorders.
Fatty Acid refers to a class of organic compounds involved in various … #
Fatty Acid refers to a class of organic compounds involved in various physiological processes, including energy production and cell membrane structure, with certain fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, playing a role in inflammation regulation and brain function.
Food Addiction refers to a condition characterized by compulsive consumpt… #
Food Addiction refers to a condition characterized by compulsive consumption of foods high in sugar, fat, and salt, often leading to weight gain and other health problems, with dietary factors such as nutrient deficiencies and gut microbiome alterations influencing the development and management of food addiction.
GABA (Gamma #
Aminobutyric Acid) is a neurotransmitter involved in inhibition and relaxation, with dietary factors such as glutamine and vitamin B6 influencing GABA synthesis and function, which can have implications for anxiety and insomnia.
Gut #
Brain Axis refers to the bidirectional communication network between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system, with dietary factors such as fiber consumption and probiotics influencing the gut-brain axis and its implications for mood and cognitive function.
Inflammation refers to a complex biological response to injury or… #
Inflammation refers to a complex biological response to injury or infection, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and antioxidants influencing inflammation regulation and its implications for neuroprotection and cognitive function.
Insomnia refers to a condition characterized by difficulty initiating or… #
Insomnia refers to a condition characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, often impacting an individual's ability to function in daily life, with dietary factors such as caffeine and alcohol consumption influencing sleep quality and duration.
Kynurenine Pathway refers to a metabolic pathway involved in the break… #
Kynurenine Pathway refers to a metabolic pathway involved in the breakdown of tryptophan, with dietary factors such as vitamin B6 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation influencing the kynurenine pathway and its implications for neuroprotection and cognitive function.
Lipid Peroxidation refers to the oxidative degradation of lipids ,… #
Lipid Peroxidation refers to the oxidative degradation of lipids, resulting in the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress, with dietary factors such as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation influencing lipid peroxidation and its implications for neuroprotection and cognitive function.
Mediterranean Diet refers to a dietary pattern characterized by high consumption… #
Mediterranean Diet refers to a dietary pattern characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil, with the Mediterranean diet being associated with improved cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Melatonin is a hormone involved in regulation of the sleep #
wake cycle, with dietary factors such as tryptophan and vitamin B6 influencing melatonin synthesis and function, which can have implications for sleep quality and duration.
Microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms that inhabit the … #
Microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms that inhabit the gut and other body sites, with dietary factors such as fiber consumption and probiotics influencing the microbiome and its implications for mood and cognitive function.
Neuroinflammation refers to the inflammatory response within the centr… #
Neuroinflammation refers to the inflammatory response within the central nervous system, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and antioxidants influencing neuroinflammation and its implications for neuroprotection and cognitive function.
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to adapt … #
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to adapt and change in response to experience and learning, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and exercise influencing neuroplasticity and its implications for cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Neurotransmitter refers to a class of chemical messengers that tra… #
Neurotransmitter refers to a class of chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons, with dietary factors such as amino acid supplementation and vitamin B6 influencing neurotransmitter synthesis and function, which can have implications for mood and cognitive function.
Nutrient refers to a substance that provides nourishment and su… #
Nutrient refers to a substance that provides nourishment and support for the body, with dietary nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients influencing various physiological processes, including cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Obesity refers to a condition characterized by excess body fat , of… #
Obesity refers to a condition characterized by excess body fat, often leading to various health problems, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with dietary factors such as calorie restriction and macronutrient balance influencing weight management and its implications for cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Omega #
3 Fatty Acid refers to a class of polyunsaturated fatty acids involved in inflammation regulation and brain function, with dietary omega-3 supplementation influencing cognitive function, neuroprotection, and the development and management of various neurodegenerative disorders.
Oxidative Stress refers to the imbalance between the production of… #
Oxidative Stress refers to the imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them, with dietary factors such as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation influencing oxidative stress and its implications for neuroprotection and cognitive function.
Polyphenol refers to a class of compounds found in plants that hav… #
Polyphenol refers to a class of compounds found in plants that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with dietary polyphenol consumption influencing cognitive function, neuroprotection, and the development and management of various neurodegenerative disorders.
Probiotic refers to a live microorganism that provides health bene… #
Probiotic refers to a live microorganism that provides health benefits when consumed, with dietary probiotic supplementation influencing the gut-brain axis and its implications for mood and cognitive function.
Psychoactive refers to a substance that has a psychological effect… #
Psychoactive refers to a substance that has a psychological effect on the brain, with dietary psychoactive substances such as caffeine and theobromine influencing mood and cognitive function.
Schizophrenia refers to a mental health condition characterized by hal… #
Schizophrenia refers to a mental health condition characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and vitamin D influencing the development and management of schizophrenia symptoms.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, ap… #
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, appetite, and sleep, with dietary factors such as tryptophan and vitamin B6 influencing serotonin synthesis and function, which can have implications for depression and anxiety disorders.
Sleep Disorder refers to a condition characterized by difficulty initiati… #
Sleep Disorder refers to a condition characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, often impacting an individual's ability to function in daily life, with dietary factors such as caffeine and alcohol consumption influencing sleep quality and duration.
Stress refers to a complex biological response to physical or p… #
Stress refers to a complex biological response to physical or psychological demands, with dietary factors such as omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and adaptogenic herbs influencing stress management and its implications for mood and cognitive function.
Tryptophan is an amino acid involved in the synthesis of serotonin … #
Tryptophan is an amino acid involved in the synthesis of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, with dietary tryptophan supplementation influencing mood and cognitive function, particularly in individuals with depression and anxiety disorders.
Vitamin refers to a class of compounds that are essential for various … #
Vitamin refers to a class of compounds that are essential for various physiological processes, including energy production and cell growth, with dietary vitamin supplementation influencing cognitive function, neuroprotection, and the development and management of various neurodegenerative disorders.
Weight Management refers to the process of maintaining a healthy b… #
Weight Management refers to the process of maintaining a healthy body weight, with dietary factors such as calorie restriction and macronutrient balance influencing weight management and its implications for cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Zinc is a mineral involved in various physiological processes, inc… #
Zinc is a mineral involved in various physiological processes, including immune function and wound healing, with dietary zinc supplementation influencing cognitive function, neuroprotection, and the development and management of various neurodegenerative disorders.